Hi all i am new on this forum

I have a 2003 ford focus 1.8tdci ghia estate bought about 2 weeks ago had a mechanic i have used for years to replace timing belt kit he did that but car wont start he did notice that there is about a 1/2" play in the crank before it starts turning the engine, He also said that when he set the timing TDC before removing the old belt the the cam marks did not line up was out roughly 1/2" same as play im crank pully would any one have any suggestions to what could the problem as we are both stummped, thanx tony.

Did he use locking pins for the crank cam and fuel pump is the belt the correct one as that would I think explain half inch play as the tensioner would not take up all the slack .

It's just not TDC you have to worry about on a diesel it's fuel pump timing as well also is the crank sensor connected properly on the gearbox as this would also cause a no start

On a tdci the fuel pump timing won't be an issue - the older tddi it would be.

Any amount of play doesn't sound right though. Did he have the correct locking kit?

Did he use locking pins for the crank cam and fuel pump is the belt the correct one as that would I think explain half inch play as the tensioner would not take up all the slack .

Hi thanx for your reply steads and yes he did use timing pins for the crank, the cam, and the fuel pump the belt kit is the correct one aswell.

On a tdci the fuel pump timing won't be an issue - the older tddi it would be.

Any amount of play doesn't sound right though. Did he have the correct locking kit?

Hi stef thanx for your reply yes he has and did use the correct locking kit as he showed me the kit he used he also showed what happened when he timed the engine with the crank the fuel pump marks lined up ok but the cam was about 1/2" out the pulley mark was to the left of the mark on the casing, would you have any idea what would cause that amount of play in the crank thanx again tony.

On a tdci the fuel pump timing won't be an issue - the older tddi it would be.

Any amount of play doesn't sound right though. Did he have the correct locking kit?

Hi stef123 would the timing chain cassette possibly cause the 1/2" play in the crank if so would i be able to replace the chain cassette or the wet belt connecting the crank to the fuel pump if so were would i be able to get one from thanx tony.

I'm not familiar with your engine to be honest. I can't understand how there is any play either if it's all set up properly.

It's hard to imagine how it looks without seeing it

Stupid question but is the woodruff key in the crank pulley or is it one of those so called floating cranks without the woodruff key this is one possibility for movement .

Stupid question but is the woodruff key in the crank pulley or is it one of those so called floating cranks without the woodruff key this is one possibility for movement .

Not sure m8 but i have thought it could be the chain or tensioner for the crank and fuel pump could be causing the problem i am going to set the timing again then take the belt off and see if there is any play in the fuel pump. The weired thing about it is i drove it too the mechanics house and he set the timing with the old belt on locked it up put new belt on and tried to start it he did say that it started but there was a grinding sort of sound he also said it sounded like a chain rattling, shaking noise which makes me think it may be the crank to fuel pump chain or tensioner.

I can't see how anything else has been upset if everything was locked off and timed correctly the first place I'd be looking personally is the lower crank pulley after having a bad experience with my old clio with what they call a floating crank where there is no woodruff key to hold crank and pulley together it only has to move an your screwed .that what you said is grinding noise would have me concerned .

Setups without a woodruff key are beneficial for near perfect timing and if the engine is locked correctly they are just as easy to do.